Fuel tank for a recreational vehicle

Abstract

A fuel tank for a motored vehicle featuring a main body portion and an oblong neck portion coupled to the main body portion. The oblong neck portion extends diagonally upward away from the main body portion. The main body portion is configured and positioned to provide a wave interference portion therein.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A vehicle, comprising: 
       a body;  
       a fuel tank disposed adjacent to the body, the fuel tank being constructed and arranged to contain fuel, the fuel tank having  
       a wall structure configured and positioned to define an outer surface having a liquid containing volume therein, said wall structure including an inlet for liquid to enter the liquid containing volume and an outlet for liquid to exit the liquid containing volume, and  
       a wave interference portion defined by the wall structure and configured and positioned to provide interference to a liquid wave within the liquid containing volume, wherein the body has an upper surface of a certain length for supporting the fuel tank, wherein the main body portion has a length substantially equal to the length of the body such that the ratio between the length of the fuel tank and the length of the body is substantially 1:1.  
     
     
       2. A vehicle according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall structure comprises: 
       a main body portion; and  
       an oblong neck portion coupled to the main body portion extending diagonally upward away from the main body portion,  
       wherein the wave interference portion is positioned within the main body portion.  
     
     
       3. A vehicle according to  claim 2 , wherein the wave interference portion includes an interference surface configured and positioned to have an arcuate central portion constructed and arranged to trap fuel therein. 
     
     
       4. A vehicle according to  claim 3 , wherein the main body portion is configured and positioned to extend to a height substantially equal to one-third the height of the oblong neck portion. 
     
     
       5. A vehicle according to  claim 4 , wherein the main body portion includes a substantial section thereof being of uniform height. 
     
     
       6. A vehicle according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a drive axle for engaging a drive assembly to provide rotational movement thereto for movement of the recreational vehicle, wherein the fuel tank has a center of gravity positioned within a horizontal range of 375 mm to 500 mm and a vertical range of 240 mm to 255 mm away from the drive axle.  
     
     
       7. A vehicle according to  claim 6 , wherein the fuel tank has a center of gravity positioned at a horizontal distance of 437 mm and a vertical distance of 248 mm away from the drive axle. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle comprising: 
       a tunnel body;  
       a fuel tank disposed adjacent to the tunnel body, the fuel tank constructed and arranged to contain fuel, the fuel tank having  
       a main body portion,  
       an oblong neck portion coupled to the main body portion extending diagonally upward away from the main body portion, and  
       a wave interference portion defined by the main body portion and configured and positioned to provide interference to a liquid wave within the main body portion.  
     
     
       9. A vehicle according to  claim 8 , wherein the main body portion and the oblong neck portion together define a liquid containing volume which includes an inlet for liquid to enter the liquid containing volume and an outlet for liquid to exit the liquid containing volume. 
     
     
       10. A vehicle according to  claim 9 , wherein the main body portion is configured and positioned to extend to a height substantially equal to one-third the height of the oblong neck portion. 
     
     
       11. A vehicle according to  claim 10 , wherein the wave interference portion includes an interference surface configured and positioned to have an arcuate central portion constructed and arranged to trap fuel therein. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle according to  claim 8 , wherein the tunnel body has an upper surface of a certain length for supporting the fuel tank, wherein the main body portion has a length being substantially equal to the length of the tunnel body such that the ratio between the length of the fuel tank and the length of the tunnel body is substantially 1:1. 
     
     
       13. A vehicle according to  claim 12 , further comprising: 
       a drive axle for engaging a drive assembly to provide rotational movement thereto for movement of the snowmobile, wherein the fuel tank has a center of gravity positioned within a horizontal range of 375 mm to 500 mm and a vertical range of 240 mm to 255 mm away from the drive axle.  
     
     
       14. A vehicle according to  claim 13 , wherein the container has a center of gravity positioned at a horizontal distance of 437 mm and a vertical distance of 248 mm away from the drive axle. 
     
     
       15. A vehicle, comprising: 
       a tunnel body having a top surface;  
       a fuel tank disposed above the top surface of the tunnel body, the fuel tank being constructed and arranged to contain fuel, the fuel tank having a wall structure configured and positioned to define an outer surface having a liquid containing volume therein, said wall structure including an inlet for liquid to enter the liquid containing volume and an outlet for liquid to exit the liquid containing volume; and  
       a seat disposed above the fuel tank wherein the seat is suitable for supporting a driver of the vehicle, wherein the fuel tank comprises a main body portion disposed between the seat and the top surface of the tunnel body and an oblong neck portion extending diagonally upward away from the main body portion, the oblong neck portion having a liquid inlet.  
     
     
       16. The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the main body portion has a rectangular cross section having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface being disposed on the top surface of the tunnel body. 
     
     
       17. The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein the height between the lower surface and the upper surface is approximately ⅓ the height of the upwardly extending oblong neck portion. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle according to  claim 15 , wherein the main body portion has a length substantially equal to the length of the tunnel body such that the ratio between the length of the fuel tank and the length of the tunnel body is substantially 1:1. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
       a drive axle for engaging a drive assembly to provide rotational movement thereto for movement of the vehicle, wherein the fuel tank has a center of gravity positioned within a horizontal range of 375 mm to 500 mm and a vertical range of 240 mm to 255 mm away from the drive axle.  
     
     
       20. The vehicle according to  claim 19 , wherein the fuel tank has a center of gravity positioned at a horizontal distance of 437 mm and a vertical distance of 248 mm away from the drive axle.